January 4, 1905 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 
full dimensions of 8 feet or more. It is 
easily propagated by seeds or by division. 
PULMONARIA ARVERNENSIS  ALBA.—As 
spring-flowering plants the Pulmonariag, or 
Lungworts, are not to be despised, and the 
yarious colors of blue or red they give are 
-of a different character from. most of the 
other blooms of the season. The nomencla- 
ture is not always satisfactory, but even 
in the case of the one under notice, whose 
name is not authoritative, one must: keep 
to it, seeing that it has no other. It is a 
distinct dwarf plant, flowering in spring, 
with heads of neat white blossoms. It is 
all the more valuable, seeing that it will 
thrive in a place which is in almost perfect 
shade. It has not been long in cultivation, 
and was named by the finder because of its 
native habitat. On the lower flanks of a 
shade rockery it looks well. 
S. R. Novr, 
PLEASANT CHAT. 
CROSS FERTILISING CARNATIONS. 
Those who grow Tree Carnations and 
have a few good blooms to spare should 
‘try a little hybridismg. To my mind, 
nothing gives more interest and pleasure 
than to watch a batch! of seedling Carna- 
tions which the grower has fertilised, har- 
vested, and grown into flowering plants. 
One never knows how rich a prize may be 
in store in a batch of seedlings, and to 
gain as many treasures as possible it is well 
to start properly. Select some promising 
looking buds, making sure that the stem 
and calyx are perfect and the plant is 
healthy. 
When the flowers are half-open is the 
time to commence operations. The calyx 
‘should be split on. one side and the imma- 
ture anthers remoyved—this is done to avoid 
self-fertilization. There is nothing more 
to do then but to wait until the flowers 
mature and for the stigmas to become 
ready to receive the pollen. When the 
flower has attained’ to full maturity the 
‘stigmas are usually well developed, having 
assumed a hairy and moist upper surface. 
The operation of fertilising the flower is 
very simple. A. well developed flower that 
has been carefully selected ig taken, and 
“the pollen dust, which should be perfectly 
vipe and dry, is then carefully rubbed oyer 
the stigmas by bringing the two flowers 
together. Another way, and the method 
adopted by most people, is to apply the 
pollen to the stigmas with a camel hair 
brush, but the safer method for a success: 
ful cross is the first mentioned. Tf the 
operation has been well performed the 
petals and the stigmas of the fertilised 
flower will wither up in the course of the 
‘day and fertilization will be complete. 
The pod (or ovary) will begin to swell 
dn a few days, and the only thing to do is 
to guard it against injury until it is ripe. 
The withered petals should be cut away 
and the calyx pulled down to prevent water 
from lodging round the seed pod. Tn*from 
six to seven weeks the pod will have as 
sumed a brown color; it is then ripe and 
should be cut off with a piece of the stem 
and put in a cool airy place to dry, after 
which the seed is carefully removed and 
either sown immediately or put away in 
small boxes or envelopes until required, 
keeping a true record of the cross. 
MANETTIA BICOLOR. - 
It is on rare occasions that one meets 
with this beautiful climber, which is cer- 
tainly too little known. It is of easy cul- 
ture, and one which repays any little 
trouble entailed. Secure a few cuttings 
from healthy plants, placing three around 
the edge of a 3-in. pot in a compost con- 
sisting of equal parts of loam, leaf mould, 
peat dust, and silver sand. Place the pots 
in & propagating case, giving a good 
watering to settle the soil about the cut- 
tings; keep close, only admitting a chink 
of air for an hour in the early morning, 
until rooted, when they may be allowed a 
freer circulation of air, and finally: placed. 
on shelves in a warm house. 
After they become thoroughly rooted. 
pot singly into 3-in. pots, or if larger spe- 
cimens are desired pot the three on into 
d-in. pots. Use a somewhat rougher com- 
post: than advised for the cuttings, with the 
addition of a pinch of chemical manure. 
Grow on in an intermediate house, apply- 
ing the syringe twice daily to prevent the 
attacks of insect pests. Thrips are very 
fond of these plants, and when they appear 
fumigation must be done at once, or dis 
figured jplants will be the result. Once. 
fairly established, they should be placed 
in a position where it is intended they 
shall flower. Up a rafter in a warm greeti- 
house they will flourish admirably, nrodue- 
ing their scarlet and orange flowerg in 
great profusion ; trained in this fashion, it 
is a very pleasing sight when in full flower 
during the dull days-of winter. Tt may also 
be trained on a wire balloon, all that is 
required being the regulating of the 
growth to cover the framework evenly. 
Another very effective and accommodating 
way in which to use this climber is to 
train it up 3-ft. bamboo canes, clothing 
the stake regularly from top to bottom in 
a rather loose manner to avoid a ropy ap- 
pearance. Tn this style they make ad- 
mirable pot plants in the stove or warm 
greenhouse amongst dwarfer plants, and 
may also be taken to the drawing-room if 
desired. 
Asa plant for table decoration, Manettia 
bicolor is difficult to surpass; long sprays 
cut and placed on the white cloth ferm 
excellent tracing material, or the single 
pips dotted amongst sprays of Asparagus 
or Smilax draping the candelabra, leave 
nothing to be desired. TI may mention 
that the plant requires liberal feeding 
when confined in small pots. 
HOW TO GROW VIOLETS. 
If we wish to have a good supply of. 
Violets during the winter and spring 
months no time must be lost in starting. 
The stronger and more vigorous the root 
the more flowers the plant will bear; 
therefore the sooner the runners are plant- 
ed the longer time will the roots have to 
obtain their vigor and strength. 
Any one who has a garden frame may 
have Violets in bloom from October to 
fee 
June. In May or June secure good, 
strong runners and peg them: down at @ 
joint in. good soil, and pinch off the Bre 
beyond (these young plants will give mu 
finer flowers than old roots). When welk 
vooted they must be transplanted to a nee 
on a ghady border, and supplicd with: 
plenty of water all through the summer 
ontbths. 
cok: the beginning of September they 
inust be transferred from the bed to @ 
frame. A hotbed should be made, and 
the frame placed on this. About 6 ue 
of good light soil should be placed in. ne 
frame, and the young plants placed. abou 
9 or 10 in. apart. Be very sareful to lift the 
plants witha good ball, of soil, and thus 
cause the least check possible. The heat 
of the hotbed should be abeut 60 deg., angé 
should also be lasting. This can be Gi 
tained by placing linings round the frames: 
and covering them during cold nights with. 
mats. The frame should be placed so as te 
receive as much sunshine as possible, and 
on bright afternoons the plants should ber 
syringed, and always have a little ES 
tilation. These will flower towards the bt 
ter end of October. Never force them, as 
the less they are forced the longer will they 
wer. - 
me the different. varieties, La France 1s 
one of the largest of all the giants ; 1b 
yery compact and vigorous in its habit of 
erowth. The flowers are dark blue, very 
sweet smelling, and borne on extra long 
stems. It has received an award of mer 
from the Royal Horticultural Society. The 
Neapolitan is also a very good one to grow. 
DELIGATE AND DELIGHTFUL 
DABLIAS. 
As there must be many readers who have 
not yet tried the pretty little Pompom: 
Cactus Dahlias, possibly some who have 
never even heard. of them, :T take this op- 
portunity of recommending the same te 
iheir notice. For decorative purposes the 
elegant, delicately poised blossoms ae 
equalled by any members of the Da a 
family, and few other garden denizens eu d- 
afford to give them much start im the - 
corative race. There are not at pe 
many varieties in. cultivation, but re Ye 
Fairy, Midget, Mcta. Coronation, and lona 
are six worth trying.—E. J. C. 
cere 
The Oxchard. 
eee OD renee 
OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 
ed 
By. W. J. Avien. sea 
i res will de- 
hose who have applied manures will 
ene full benefit from such SppH Pan ones 
Weeds are making such luxuriant Bronte 
that it will be necessary to keep fue aol 
well stirred so as t0 Keen bers is Bre ae 
to prevent them roboing the & 
peeamunierent which they requires dor the 
i ir fruit. In 
er maturing of their fruit. In ais 
aes irrigation is practised it, will be 
found necessary t> give all fruits a goo 
